Campervan Solar Systems: How Much Solar Do You Need for Camping?

How Much Solar Do You Need for Camping?

Discover how to calculate and configure the right camping solar system for your campervan. At SUNGOLD, we cover this extensively. Learn how to determine the number of solar panels you need based on your equipment’s power needs, sunlight hours, and energy storage requirements to ensure your campervan always has a reliable source of power when camping.

The amount of solar power you need for camping depends on several factors, including the devices you plan to power, the power usage of the devices, the number of days you’ll be camping, and the charging efficiency of your solar panel. Here’s a basic calculation to help you estimate the amount of solar power you’ll need for camping:

1. Determine the power usage of your devices

List all the devices you use while camping and determine the power (watts, W) of each device and the number of hours (h) per day you use it. For example:

Mobile phone charger: 5W, 2 hours of use
LED light: 10W, 4 hours of use
Laptop: 50W, 2 hours of use
Mini fridge: 60W, 24 hours of use

2. Calculate total daily electricity use

Multiply the power of each device by the time it is used, then add up the power used by all devices to get the total daily electricity use. For example:

Mobile phone charger: 5W × 2 hours = 10Wh
LED light: 10W × 4 hours = 40Wh
Laptop: 50W × 2 hours = 100Wh
Mini fridge: 60W × 24 hours = 1440Wh
Total power use: 10Wh + 40Wh + 100Wh + 1440Wh = 1590Wh

3. Choose a portable solar panel

Determine the power rating of the portable solar panel you are using (such as 100W or 200W) and the number of hours of sunlight you will receive each day (usually 4 to 6 hours, depending on weather and location). For example, if you have a 100W solar panel and get 5 hours of sunshine per day, you get:

100W × 5 hours = 500Wh

4. Calculate the number of solar panels needed

To meet the daily electricity demand of 1590Wh, you need to calculate the number of solar panels required:

Number of panels required = 1590Wh / 500Wh ≈ 3.18

Therefore, you need about 4 100W solar panels (taking into account efficiency losses and cloudy days).

5. Consider battery storage

In order to continue using electricity when there is no sunlight, you may also need a battery system to store solar energy. For example, if you want to store a day’s worth of electricity, the battery capacity should be at least 1590Wh.

For a medium-sized camping demand, you need about 300W-400W of solar panels and energy storage batteries of appropriate capacity. Of course, these are estimates based on typical camping, and actual needs may vary depending on specific equipment and camping conditions.

How many solar panels do I need?

To answer the question of how much solar power you need for camping, it’s best to compare solar panels by their power rating, or wattage. Watts are the basic unit of power and a measure of how much electricity they can provide. In other words, the wattage of a solar panel determines the rate at which you can charge your batteries.

Volts × Amps = Watts

Let’s say, for example, you have a 12V system and need to replenish 75Ah of power to your batteries every day, and you get 6 hours of sunlight per day. You will need:

75Ah × 12V = 900Wh

900Wh / 6 hours = 150W solar panel

In reality, it’s recommended that you overestimate your needs by at least 20%, so you’ll need a 180W solar panel.

Generally speaking, a 150W solar panel paired with an onboard battery charger will keep a modern 60L fridge going all day, 24/7, if weather conditions are right (not cloudy).

Heading out in a campervan? Using solar panels or a solar blanket to power your trip is a logical next step. Whether you plan to charge devices or just keep the lights on, learn how to calculate the amount of power you need so you can choose the best option for your appliances.

When you plan to head out for an off-the-beaten-path vacation, you can be confident that you have the gear you need to stay out longer and enjoy everything your trip has to offer.

Here are three main reasons why you should install solar power on your campervan:

Safety First: Solar power gives you the safety of portable power and ensures your devices always have power in case of an emergency.
Off-grid: With solar panels, you can generate power wherever you are. With solar power, you can explore more off-grid locations.
Charge Devices: Use solar power to charge devices like e-bikes, e-readers, laptops, and iPads while you’re out camping.
Calculate Your Van Solar Needs
To calculate your solar needs, consider the devices you use in your van. For example, if you’re traveling to the Midwest, fans and/or air conditioning may require more power. For reference, a typical van consumes between 500W and 2000W of power.

Using batteries means you can store power for use at night or on cloudy days – more solar input will charge the batteries faster if you use batteries. For a reference, you can get about 200W of solar panels for every 100Ah of battery.

How much solar do I need to live off the grid?

Calculate your total solar input needs

Power (Watts, W) is the rate of energy usage. For your van, power is the amount of energy used by the equipment or appliances, and you should be able to find this information in your product manual (if you don’t have a paper copy, search online – most manufacturers have PDF files available for download). Power (W) can be calculated using the current in amperes (A) multiplied by the voltage in volts (V).

Watt-hours (Wh) are a unit of energy that measures the amount of electricity produced per hour by an appliance or electrical device. This can be calculated as W × hours (h).

Once you know how much power you need to run your Campervan appliances, you need to find a battery to store the solar energy. For example, you might need a 120Ah battery to power your van.

Choosing a battery to store solar energy

Some days you may not get much sunlight, or you may want to charge your laptop, fridge or phone after dark.

If you plan to install a battery, calculate the capacity using ampere hours (Ah), which indicates how much energy can be stored in the battery for future use. This is calculated by dividing Wh by voltage (V).

Optimizing Energy Efficiency: Top Tips for Campervan Solar Power
A solar system is a great investment for your campervan, and you’ll want to get the best results. There are steps you can take to achieve this; here are our top tips.

How to get the most out of your campervan solar installation:

Regular cleaning and maintenance: Keep the solar panels clean and free of dust and debris for optimal performance.
Active system monitoring: The battery management system and customizable vehicle management allow you to control every device from the central screen or your smartphone.
Choose a reputable solar system.

FAQs

Can I power my campervan with solar?
Yes, solar panels come in a variety of power outputs to fit the available space on the roof of your campervan. We also offer a range of inverters, MPPT regulators and lithium solar cells to complete your system so you can go further and stay outdoors longer.

Are 200W solar panels enough for a campervan?
200W is enough to power a small Campervan if you’re going away for the weekend. You’ll be able to power a laptop or TV for 2 hours, a microwave for 1 hour, and a light bulb for about 12 hours. More solar panels will charge your batteries faster, or more fully in low light. If you have 400W of solar, you’ll charge twice as fast. 400W of solar is recommended if you plan to live in your van full-time or use a 120V refrigerator.

Can solar panels charge Campervan batteries?

Yes, solar panels can charge Campervan batteries. Please calculate the amount of electricity you use so you can determine what size battery you need.